By Simon Nare
Minister in The Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni has confirmed that police are investigating Afrikaans lobby groups Afriforum and Solidarity for their misinformation and characterisation of the country, which has led to strained diplomatic relations between the US and South Africa.
Ntshavheni told journalists during a post-Cabinet meeting briefing on Thursday that the misinformation and lobbying against the country was in violation of the country’s laws
She refused to reveal who exactly the police were investigating.
“If I tell you who they are investigating then I would be jeopardising the investigation, so I am not at liberty to say who they are investigating,” the minister said.
Ntshavheni said Cabinet discussed the misinformation by the lobby groups and was concerned by their campaign.
She revealed that police have met AfriForum to clarify their allegations of white genocide concerning farm murders, and the lobby group conceded in the meeting that the crime statistics, including farm murders that were released by Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, were accurate.
“It is common knowledge that some of the farm murders are committed by people known to the farmers, including family members. Cabinet is also aware of the false claim that there are approximately 72,000 white farmers who have signed up to relocate to the USA in response to the invitation by the US president.
“According to data… from Stats SA, South Africa only has 41,122 farming units and, therefore, commercial white farmers are not exceeding this number,” she said.
On a letter written by the group to President Cyril Ramaphosa to complain about EFF leader Julius Malema singing the “kill the boer” song, the minister said she was unaware of the document.
However, she said the matter has already been ventilated in court and it was ruled that the song formed part of struggle songs and did not incite any violence.
Ntshavheni said Cabinet also discussed G20 preparatory meetings in the build-up to the heads of state summit in Johannesburg in November.
She said recent meetings included the first G20 Trade and Investment Working Group meeting which took place virtually from 18 to 20 March 2025. It discussed building inclusive economies, and the successes and failures of the multilateral trade system over the last 30 years.
Also discussed was trade and inclusive growth, a responsive trade agenda, green industrialisation and reforming the World Trade Organisation.
A national dialogue towards the Agricultural Working Group engagement and the G20’s Meeting of Agricultural Chief Scientists was virtually held on 18 March 2025 and discussed agricultural sustainability, innovation and resilience.
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